is in development, but when can fans of the franchise expect the release date, and how will the story continue? The new movie is being produced, and a female-led spinoff film was also announced, but then canceled. With the future of the movies still far from certain, many viewers have been understandably concerned with the lack of confirmed news about . When :was released, its enormous success was unexpected. Before 2003, pirate movies were seen as guaranteed box office flops, but the franchise has remained popular ever since, constantly proving its international mass appeal and for his role as Jack Sparrow.

2017's , the fifth movie in the series, earned close to $800 million worldwide, and Disney first announced plans for another swashbuckling pirate adventure back in 2018. The studio also has plans to change up the franchise and expand it in the future, so Disney also announced another installment — a reboot with Margot Robbie in the lead role — would go into development alongside the sequel. However, after several years, the filmis still in early development with the release date on the distant horizon. Here's what to expect from the new movie.

Pirates of the Caribbean 6 Is In Development At Disney

There's no release date yet, but the new movie isn't dead in the water. After co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick dropped out of the new movie in 2019, Disney to write the script instead. Mazin created HBO’s miniseries , while Elliott worked on the first movie . Director Joachim Rønning is also set to return. In late 2022 Jerry Bruckheimer provided a promising update regarding the movie, saying that Ted Elliot is in the process of developing the script.

Back in 2018, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production’s President, Sean Bailey, was open to the idea of giving the franchise a “,” saying in an interview ) that the studio wanted to bring new energy to the movies. Speculation and rumors have suggested the new movie would be a soft reboot of the franchise, similar to the , but it’s unclear what would be wiped out from the series’ past storylines and timeline.

Pirates of the Caribbean 6 Release Date

As of 2022, there’s still no confirmed release date. The script is still in development, so fans will likely have to wait until 2023 at the earliest. The last three installments, , , and , dominated the box office on Memorial Day weekend, and it seems likely the sixth movie would be released around the same period to carry on this success. However, due to production delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, there's still no news on what year will release, never mind a specific date.

With the exception of and (filmed back-to-back in 2005), a four to five-year wait between has been the norm. Despite Bruckheimer hinting that the script was near completion for several years, his comments in recent interviews () suggest that the script is only now being developed by Elliot.Currently, the project hasn't left pre-production. Despite being announced way back in 2018, the next installment in Disney's beloved franchise is probably still a few years from hitting screens.

Pirates of the Caribbean 6 Cast

The final cast of hasn't been confirmed. There's been plenty of speculation floating around online, however. Both Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly have been rumored to make a possible return to the franchise as Will and Elizabeth Turner. This is an exciting prospect for many fans since neither characters were present in the 4th and 5th installments. There's also considerable or Joshamee Gibbs, played by Kevin McNally. However, nothing has been confirmed by Disney, the respective actors, or Bruckheimer. Just like most of what's "known" about the casting is still mostly speculative.

With five ensemble-cast movies to fall back on across the franchise, there's no shortage of names in the returning actor pool. Bill Nighy has expressed the desire to play the iconic villain Davy Jones once again. Lee Arenberg, who played the pirate Pintel, is another past cast member happy to appear in another movie. Beyond willing actors, nothing indicates either character will return, though. Actress Kaya Scodelario revealed to in 2017 that she’d been contracted for another movie and was interested in returning as Carina Smyth. This indicates Disney has or had plans for Smyth after discovering she was .

Pirates of the Caribbean 6 Story Details

The is still in development. Details have been scarce, but it's known Disney wants a female-driven story. Some fans have suggested looking back to the original theme park ride for inspiration. Recently changed from captive to pirate queen, the character of Redd would be a welcomed addition to the franchise that gives a nod to the ride that started it all. Originally, Margot Robbie's confirmed involvement as an unannounced new character, was thought to mean that she could bring Redd from the ride to the screen. However, the Margot Robbie movie was subsequently canceled, meaning audiences are still left in the dark as to what could be about.

Johnny Depp Won't Be Returning As Jack Sparrow

Casting for has been a huge source of speculation, but the big question of Johnny Depp’s role has at last been answered. Both Depp and Bruckheimer have confirmed that will be the first Jack Sparrow-less installment. Once, a movie without Jack Sparrow seemed to be as improbable as Marvel Studios recasting the role of Tony Stark. However, events in the years leading up to his defamation trial against Amber Heard in 2022 created a media perception of Depp, which Disney could have seen as a countermand to their family-friendly image. Whether the circumstances around Depp and Heard's relationship factored into the decision is contested, but it's known Depp was dropped from the franchise. He didn't leave the project by choice.

Bruckheimer had even after Disney and Depp kiboshed the idea. He kept interviews purposefully vague, giving Jack Sparrow fans some hope he may make a return, even if just for a cameo. However, in mid-May 2022, Bruckheimer slammed the Depp door firmly shut and wedged a chair under the handle, confirming (that Depp returning to the franchise wasn't a possibility, "With Depp himself open about his aversion to working with Disney again, it's clear that will forever be remembered as the movie that almost featured Captain Jack Sparrow.

The Margot Robbie Pirates Spin-Off Is Canceled

Many were confused that there were in the mix, one of them being led by Margot Robbie and an all-female pirate crew. However, Robbie's project has been canceled. Apparently, the all-female pirate story was not meant to be , but rather, its own property penned by Christina Hodson, who also wrote . The two were first attached to the project in 2020, but for reasons unknown, Disney decided not to give the film a chance, which at least clears up the confusion around the multiple new movies. According to Robbie (, she was excited about the prospect of setting sail on the high seas, but unfortunately, because Disney simply didn't want it. The actress said, While the Margot Robbie spin-off is sadly not happening though, is still being worked on by Disney studios, with the latest update being that a script is finally being written.